- Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:02 pm
#4194
I'm looking to build a fairly simple switching voltage regulator, and intend to use a PIC as the controller. I realize that there are better and cheaper options, but I like the PIC idea because:
- I know how to write software, but I'm not as good yet with electronics
- The regulator needs to have some additional control functions which will be easier with a PIC
- I've already got the components available
Plus, PICs are like hammers--everything looks like a nail when you've got one .
The circuit is to turn automotive DC (noisy and ranging from probably 10-16 volts) to 9 VDC. My plan so far is to implement a RC buck converter with a resistor voltage divider to feed back into the PIC comparator, and then use either PWM or "bang bang" to control the MOSFET. The PIC itself will be powered by a simple linear regulator.
So if anyone has done this before and has ideas/suggestions/gotchas, or whatever, I'd like to hear them. Thanks for any help!
-Scott
- I know how to write software, but I'm not as good yet with electronics
- The regulator needs to have some additional control functions which will be easier with a PIC
- I've already got the components available
Plus, PICs are like hammers--everything looks like a nail when you've got one .
The circuit is to turn automotive DC (noisy and ranging from probably 10-16 volts) to 9 VDC. My plan so far is to implement a RC buck converter with a resistor voltage divider to feed back into the PIC comparator, and then use either PWM or "bang bang" to control the MOSFET. The PIC itself will be powered by a simple linear regulator.
So if anyone has done this before and has ideas/suggestions/gotchas, or whatever, I'd like to hear them. Thanks for any help!
-Scott